They still hold the Mississippi, and threaten us even on the banks of the Ohio; all because the slaves at home are giving them no trouble—because we are, at the point of a bayonet, keeping them loyal to the masters instead of to the Union! I have told these things to the President and Cabinet, and they replied—“It may come to this.” “Come to this!” When 200,000 men have melted away, and $2,000,000,000 spent: “Come to this”—when another half million lives shall have been lost, and a billion of dollars more laid upon you in taxation! I cannot and will not stand this!—and if you elect me, I shall vote that every man be armed, black and white, who can aid in crushing the rebellion.

-Thaddeus Stevens, campaign speech in Lancaster, September 3, 1862